Comparing smart thermostats? View our info and findings
It is useful to look into which types of thermostats are on the market and what best matches your daily rhythm. For example, there are thermostats that heat only one room. Other thermostats heat an entire zone. Moreover, there are thermostats available that can heat up in a self-learning way, so that you heat the entire home as efficiently as possible. Furthermore, you can usually heat in a modulating way, so that the boiler delivers less heat when less heat is needed. This too is a more efficient way of heating.
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The most important functions of a smart thermostat
With a smart thermostat it is possible to save considerably on energy costs. We speak of a smart thermostat when it automatically controls the heating of the house based on the behaviour of the occupants. In the past it was necessary to program clocks to have the house heated. But nowadays it is possible simply to switch on a smart thermostat and give it a number of settings. The device does the rest itself thanks to its self-learning ability.
So you can save considerably on heating your home. As a result, the energy bill goes down. A smart thermostat can deliver a saving of as much as 22 percent. There are two important functions that all smart thermostats should have.
Firstly, it is useful if the thermostat heats up in a self-learning way. It therefore adapts to your fixed day and night rhythm. So the thermostat looks at what time you wake up and what time you go to bed. It is important that the thermostat is trained properly, so that it heats as economically as possible. This device assumes a completely fixed rhythm. So the device also heats your home when you have an evening out. Such a self-learning thermostat is not practical for people with varying working hours.
Secondly, there is the modulation function. This drives the boiler less hard when it is warm enough in the house. As a result, less heat is used and you can heat your home more efficiently. In addition, with both thermostats it is possible to turn the heating a degree higher or lower yourself using the supplied apps.
Another important function of the smart thermostat is the ability to integrate it with your smart home. For example, some manufacturers offer the option of working with IFTTT, a system with which you can automate all the home automation in your house. Or you can operate your smart thermostat with your voice thanks to Amazon Alexa or Apple HomeKit. Of course it is also nice if the smart thermostat can actually give you insight into energy consumption. The cheaper smart thermostats in particular do not always have this function. That is why it is wise to go through the functions of a smart thermostat carefully before buying.
With insight into your energy consumption, it is possible to save substantially on energy costs. It is usually an indication. But a number of thermostats, such as Toon from Eneco, can keep track of your exact energy consumption, so that you always have the exact data.
Finally, some smart thermostats have geofencing. This means that you can share the location of your smartphone with your smart thermostat. This way the thermostat always knows when you are almost home or when you are just leaving. The room is pleasantly heated when you come home, but the radiators switch off when you leave the house. This way you can save optimally.
Overview of smart thermostats
There are quite a few different thermostats on the market. You can buy all systems separately and use them with your energy subscription. Some energy suppliers give a discount on such a system if you take out an energy contract with them. We have listed a number of the most commonly used thermostats, including all the pros and cons.
Anna
First, the Anna thermostat. This thermostat is a self-learning thermostat that adapts the heating of the home to the living pattern of the occupants. You can optionally also set a clock on it. The advantage of this thermostat is that you can use a feature called ‘geofencing’. This is a function that only switches the heating on when you get near the home.
Bosch EasyControl Set CT200
The EasyControl Set CT200 from Bosch is a smart thermostat with which you can easily divide your rooms into different zones. You can then control heating and hot water per zone. This works by means of the Smart Radiator from Bosch. This is a smart radiator knob that you can screw onto the radiator. This way you can control the temperature in every zone. The radiator knobs run on two AA batteries. You can buy the knobs separately, but you will also find a few in the set.
HeatApp
HeatApp is an example of a smart system that you can expand a little further each time. It is not just a smart thermostat, but falls under the category of home automation. On a smartphone or tablet you can control the temperature separately in every room. The advantage of HeatApp is that it works with, for example, a central heating boiler or district heating. The starter pack of almost 750 euros has a central unit to control the boiler, four remotely controllable radiator knobs and a so-called gateway to control the controllers and any sensors (which you buy separately).
Nefit Easy
Unlike some other systems, you can also pay a lot less for the purchase of a system. A good example of this is the Nefit Easy. You pay around 250 euros in purchase costs and have various energy-saving functions at your disposal. For example, you can always operate the thermostat remotely on your smartphone and the Easy has a self-learning programme.
Nest
Nest is one of the best-known smart thermostats on the market. You can already get started with the starter pack from 249 euros. This system is officially called the ‘learning thermostat’, which means that this system programs itself by means of its self-learning ability. So the system learns when you are at home and when the house needs to be heated. When you leave the house, Nest switches itself off. The house then cools down and you can save more energy.
Momit
The smart thermostat from Momit helps you save on your energy bill. You can easily set the thermostat from the sofa. This smart thermostat is able to adapt to your living habits. That way you come home at fixed times to a heated house. This device knows, for example by means of geofencing, when you are almost home. Based on that information, it heats the house. In addition, the thermostat has a motion sensor, so that the device knows whether anyone is at home. Is nobody at home? Then the heating switches off and you prevent waste.
Nest Thermostat E
The Nest Thermostat E is a cheaper variant of the normal Thermostat from Nest. You can easily operate it on your smartphone and it thinks along about the heating in the house. The device does have a completely different appearance. You can put the thermostat anywhere you like in the house, as long as there is a socket.
Netatmo
With the smart thermostat from Netatmo you heat your whole house. The thermostat can be attached to the wall, but if you prefer not to drill holes you can also put it on a table. The Netatmo can be operated with a smartphone, tablet or computer, regardless of where you are. This smart thermostat adapts to your living habits. In addition, you get, among other things, an estimate of your energy consumption and handy saving tips to bring consumption down even further.
Salus iT600
You can easily operate the Salus iT600 with your smartphone. This smart thermostat can detect by itself whether you are at home and allows you to set the temperature per room. This system has a low entry price of 180 euros, but for that you are also somewhat limited in functions. The starter pack consists of a digital thermostat, 1 remotely controllable radiator knob, a central home coordinator and a heater control. You cannot operate the system remotely as standard. For that you need a more extensive package that costs almost 300 euros. Furthermore, this system cannot heat up in a self-learning way or heat in a modulating way.
SmartHomeSupply
SmartHome is a fully wireless system including a smart thermostat, with which you heat each room separately. This system can be expanded with all kinds of other things related to electricity and home automation. Think, for example, of smart switches, dimmers to control lighting, or burglar and smoke alarms. The SmartHome system is therefore more than just a smart thermostat.
Tado
Tado is a smart thermostat that adapts to your daily rhythm. The system knows whether all occupants have left the house and even notifies you if you have left a window open. Controlling the heating at home and remotely is easy via the supplied app. The advantage of Tado is that you can heat not only rooms but also complete zones separately in one go. This works by means of smart radiator knobs.
ThermoSmart
The ThermoSmart works together with your digital calendar. This way you can program the smart thermostat on your smartphone, tablet or PC. You program the thermostat via a calendar system comparable to, for example, Outlook. The advantage of this system is that you can also monitor your own energy consumption. This works on the basis of an estimate. The system keeps track of how long your central heating boiler heats the home.
Toon
Finally, there is the smart thermostat called Toon. The starter pack costs 275 euros, but you do get a lot in return. Furthermore, you get a discount if you take out an energy contract with supplier Eneco. Remote operation is an optional subscription for which you pay about 60 euros per year. Toon always gives you insight into your electricity and gas consumption. Thanks to the built-in Coach, it is possible to get more tips on energy saving.
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Thermostats by platform
Amazon Alexa thermostats
Amazon has its own smart assistant: Alexa. With Alexa it is possible to control various home automation devices in the house using your voice. Think, for example, of smart lighting, but also the thermostat. Various thermostats are suitable for working with Alexa. You connect most smart thermostats to a hub or via WiFi. This then connects to the boiler. The advantage of Alexa is that with some smart thermostats you can use services such as IFTTT, allowing you to program the smart thermostat even further.
Apple HomeKit thermostats
HomeKit is Apple's control panel for all your smart devices in the home. At the push of a button you switch on the smart lighting or switch off a particular device that is connected to a smart plug. But HomeKit also allows you to request, for example, the temperature in the room clearly and quickly using a smart thermostat:
With these smart thermostats you can use your iPhone or iPad to turn the heating in different rooms a degree warmer or colder from your bed or, if necessary, even from the other side of the world.
Google Assistant thermostats
Google could not stay behind and also has its own smart assistant. It is called Google Assistant. With a tablet or smartphone running Android, it is possible to control various home automation devices. In general, there is more support from smart thermostats for Google Assistant because, unlike Apple, it does not have a closed system. This makes it possible to control cheaper thermostats too, on the go or at home on the sofa, or to request all kinds of information with a few presses of a button. The thermostats below can be operated with “Hey Google”:
How do I save energy with a smart thermostat?
A smart thermostat helps you save energy. There are various functions that make you use less gas. That can easily make a difference of around twenty percent on the energy bill.
Firstly, most smart thermostats have the ability to learn from your living habits. The heating in the house is then adjusted on the basis of your daily rhythm. So the thermostat knows when you leave the house. The smart thermostat will then switch off the heating. But when you come home again, you are welcomed by a nice warm house. Over time, the thermostat learns how you normally set the heating. So if you regularly turn the heating down a degree when you come home, the smart system will know this for the next time. It is, however, important to know that you should not set the heating too high and that at the beginning you have to switch the heating off yourself. Otherwise the system will not learn enough from it.
Many smart thermostats have a function to let it know whether you are at home. In some cases this works by means of geofencing. The system then knows whether you are almost nearby and whether the heating should already be switched on. But if you go away for a week and you do not have geofencing, the house will still be heated. That is why geofencing is a good option with a smart thermostat. This way the house is also not heated when you are not at home.
The smart thermostat allows you, for example, to heat a room or space separately. This is possible by using separate sensors or radiator knobs. This way the bedroom is never warmer than necessary and you sleep better. You never have to turn the radiators on or off yourself again. The smart thermostat does this for you. By not using heat unnecessarily, it is possible to save more energy.
You operate the heating on your smartphone from wherever you are or from the sofa. If you are not at home but the heating is still on, you can switch it off remotely. When you are on your way home, you switch the heating on. This way the house is already calmly preheated when you get home. That is better than turning the heating up to maximum when you are cold. This way you can save as much as three times more energy.
Furthermore, you need the right thermostat for your central heating boiler. A modulating boiler can also heat a room partly instead of fully. This way you save energy. Fortunately, most modern boilers are modulating nowadays. For this, however, you do need a modulating thermostat.
Finally, the best way to save on your consumption is through insight into how much heat you actually use. The app of the smart thermostat is often equipped with a function that lets you view your energy consumption. This way you know exactly how you can save even more. If you set the thermostat 1 degree lower, you can already save 25 euros a year.
Step-by-step plan for installing a thermostat
For the smart thermostat to work properly, you need to take a number of steps. In some cases the installation is done by a certified technician, but it is also possible to install the thermostat yourself. To do so, however, you must first check the thermostat wires. You do this by pulling the plug of the central heating boiler out of the socket. Then you get out the boiler's manual. Look for information about the terminals. This information is shown as a row of terminal blocks. Next, you check whether you have connected the thermostat wires correctly. The manual states what each number stands for. Are you sure you have done this correctly? Then you can go on to connect the thermostat.
First of all, it is important to switch off the mains power. After all, you are going to work with electricity and do not want any dangerous situations. That is why you switch off the mains power by flipping the residual current devices in the meter cupboard.
Connect the thermostat to the power cables coming out of the wall. It is best to place the thermostat where your previous thermostat was. In the manual of the chosen thermostat you will find more information about exactly how to connect it.
Then click the screen of the smart thermostat into place. The screen fits only one way, so this cannot go wrong. With most thermostats you hear a click when it is correctly attached.
Now that you are sure everything is connected correctly, flip the residual current devices back up. The mains power then comes back. If all is well, the smart thermostat will now start up.
Finally, you can start setting up the smart thermostat. You do this by completing the installation with the app. In the app you need to indicate, among other things, which wireless network you want to connect the thermostat to.
SEEH subsidy for a smart thermostat
Do you own your home and would you like a subsidy on the purchase of the thermostat? Then this is possible with the Subsidieregeling Energiebesparing Eigen Huis (SEEH). This scheme has existed since 2019. You receive a subsidy for a number of things you do to make your home more energy-efficient. To qualify, you must carry out at least two saving measures. Think, for example, of the purchase of having roof or floor insulation installed.
The amount of the subsidy is not the same for everyone. It depends on exactly which measures you take. You can also make use of a budget called ‘additional energy-saving measures’. Such an additional measure can, for example, be the purchase of a smart thermostat. The government sees this as a way to gain more insight into consumption. Because the thermostat is usually self-learning, the heating will be on unnecessarily less often, which makes this an energy-saving measure. The subsidy on a smart thermostat has been set at 100 euros.
Furthermore, you should know that not all thermostats meet the subsidy conditions. Firstly, your thermostat must tailor energy consumption to the living behaviour of the occupants. Most self-learning smart thermostats meet this requirement. Secondly, the thermostat must allow you to control the temperature in individual rooms separately. For example, by buying separate radiator knobs. Only the brands Nest, Tado, Netatmo and Honeywell qualify for the SEEH.
5 reasons to buy a thermostat
If you buy a smart thermostat, you can save more energy. That is because the smart thermostat gives insight into the energy consumption in your home, but also because in most cases you can control it per room. So there are various reasons to buy a smart thermostat.
A first reason to buy a smart thermostat has mainly to do with comfort. It is annoying to come home to a cold house after a long day at work. That is why you always come home to a house that is at exactly the right temperature. Smart thermostats can learn from your living habits or use geofencing. The thermostat then knows exactly when you are about to come home and switches the heating on to a pleasant temperature. If you unexpectedly have to go home, you can switch the heating on remotely in advance. So you never come home to a cold house again.
Most smart meters give you insight into your consumption by means of an app for your smartphone or tablet. This way you can see exactly what the temperature in your house was over the past day. Or it calculates how much gas you are actually using. Then you know exactly at which moments of the day the heating can be turned down a bit. That way you deal more consciously with the energy consumption in your home.
It is a waste to heat the whole house if you are only in the living room all day. Or if you are not at home at all. That is why in some cases you can link a smart thermostat to your location. The thermostat then knows when you are almost home and whether you have a window or door open. Are you not at home? Then the heating switches off automatically. This way you do not use gas unnecessarily and so you save on the energy bill.
Sound familiar? Having to walk to the thermostat to control the heating all day? With a smart thermostat that is no longer necessary. You can operate the thermostat by means of an app, so you can do this remotely. If you find it too cold in the bedroom, you can control the temperature in the bedroom from your bed. Most thermostats also work with Google Assistant, Alexa or HomeKit. You can then operate the thermostat with your voice. For example, you can call out: ‘Hey Google, set the temperature in the bedroom to twenty degrees!’ You then do not even have to use your smartphone any more. Now that is a smart home!
One of the most important reasons to buy a smart thermostat is the saving on energy costs that it brings. Because when the heating is off for a while, you can use less energy and therefore save. Moreover, you get more insight and therefore know exactly what you need to do to bring your gas and electricity bill down. You can also save even further by controlling the temperature per room or zone separately. That is possible with virtually any radiator, because all you need are radiator thermostats.
Daily life with a smart thermostat
Thanks to the smart meter, there is a good chance that your life will look different. You deal more consciously with energy and can therefore save on the bill. If you do not yet have a smart thermostat, you probably want to know how this handy device can help you further. That is why we have mapped out a daily routine showing how a smart thermostat can positively influence your life. A smart thermostat will always certainly do one thing: heat your house more smartly and efficiently. Usually you can also set the temperature per room or zone. If you have a family with school-age children, the saving is greatest.
It already starts in the morning. While everyone is still asleep, the thermostat is already at work. Around half past six you get out of bed and sit down to breakfast in a pleasantly warm living room. The parents take a shower and the heating goes to 22 degrees. Only in the living room, because the children are still asleep and of course do not want to sleep in a warm room. Once the children have also got up, both the bathroom and the ground floor are pleasantly warm, without it being warm in the bedroom. After breakfast it is time to go to work. Everyone is then at school or at work. Thanks to geofencing, the smart thermostat knows that nobody is at home. Then all the radiators switch off, so that there is no unnecessary heating.
In the afternoon the heating is not on. But at 16:00 the eldest has finished his secondary school timetable and goes back home. The smart thermostat sees that he is almost home. The heating comes on gently. But he gets changed and goes out again. The heating then switches off again. When the whole family is back home at around five o'clock, the ground floor is pleasantly warm.
The eldest comes back from his sports training and it is dinner time. Around 17:30 the bathroom is therefore heated, because after dinner it is time to shower. With the app it is possible to heat up the bathroom quickly. It was cold outside, after all.
The parents watch television in the evening. The children go outside to play with some friends for a while. The upstairs is then kept at 18 degrees. But one of the children has accidentally left the window open. The temperature then drops again, because there is no need to heat the room while the window is open. Around 20:00 the children come home again and notice that it is very cold in their room. The window is closed and within 10 minutes the temperature is at a pleasant twenty degrees.
Around 23:00 everyone goes to sleep. The thermostat sets all radiators to a maximum of 15 degrees. This way it is not too warm in the bedroom and it is easier to fall asleep. The thermostat itself also switches off, because it only becomes active again around 6 o'clock in the morning.
So by means of its self-learning ability, the smart thermostat can do a lot of things by itself. Things the thermostat cannot know because they are not part of the rhythm, you can control yourself by means of an app. This way you are always the boss in your own home.
Frequently asked questions about a smart thermostat
Below, the most frequently asked questions about a smart thermostat are answered. If you still have a question after reading this overview, feel free to send an email to info@energieaanbieding.nl.
Do all smart thermostats have a self-learning system?
Most thermostats have a self-learning system, but not all thermostats are equipped with it. That is why it is important to pay close attention when buying a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat with a self-learning system is generally a better buy, because the thermostat then adapts itself to the daily rhythm of the occupants. If, for example, the thermostat knows that you only come home at five o'clock in the afternoon every working day, the house is not heated before that time. That makes a difference in the energy consumption costs.
I still have radiators, how can I control them?
Radiators can be controlled by means of smart radiator knobs. This is a knob that you screw onto the knob of the radiator. These knobs can turn by themselves and be connected to the smart thermostat. So when you operate the smart thermostat remotely, the radiator turns along in line with the operation in the app. This way you can turn the temperature higher or lower even with an older radiator. That is rather nice, because you then do not have to replace everything.
Can I connect my smart thermostat to, for example, Alexa, HomeKit or Google Assistant?
Most smart thermostats support Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit. This must, however, be specifically stated in the specifications. There is also a possibility that you can only operate cheaper smart thermostats via an app.
How exactly can you save energy with a smart thermostat?
Saving energy with a smart thermostat works in various ways. Firstly, with most smart thermostats you have the option of viewing your consumption. This way you can decide whether you can turn the temperature in the house down a little at certain moments to save on energy consumption. There are also smart thermostats on the market that have a self-learning system or have geofencing. The smart thermostat then learns when you are or are not at home. Are you not at home? Then the house or parts of it do not need to be heated. This again lets you save energy.
What exactly is geofencing?
Not all smart thermostats have geofencing, but the somewhat more expensive models usually do have this option. Geofencing means that you can link the location of your smartphone to a smart thermostat. The smart thermostat then knows where you are. Are you not at home? Then the heating can be switched off. Are you almost home? Then geofencing on a smart thermostat ensures that the smart thermostat already makes the house pleasantly warm. So you no longer have to indicate yourself whether you are inside or outside.
How does the smart thermostat know whether I am at home?
A smart thermostat has a self-learning system. If you go to work every day between eight o'clock in the morning and five o'clock in the afternoon, the system will know that you are usually not at home between those hours. So the smart thermostat adapts to your routine. Another advantage of a smart thermostat can be geofencing. You then link the location of your smartphone to the smart thermostat. This way the smart thermostat always knows whether you are at home or not.
Can I install a smart thermostat myself?
Yes, installing a smart thermostat is quite doable for most consumers with some know-how. You do this yourself by following the manual. But if you have little confidence in it, you can also choose to have it done by a certified installer. An energy company usually offers to send a technician. A number of manufacturers also offer this service (for a fee).
Can I get a subsidy for the purchase of a smart thermostat?
Yes, it is possible to get a subsidy for the purchase of a smart thermostat. This works through the SEEH. This is the so-called Subsidieregeling Energiebesparing Eigen Huis. This subsidy scheme states that if you carry out at least two energy-saving measures, you can qualify for a subsidy. Think, for example, of having roof and floor insulation installed. If you have had this insulation installed, you can claim a budget called ‘additional energy-saving measures’. This also includes the purchase of a smart thermostat. You can then get up to 100 euros of subsidy on the purchase.
Is a smart thermostat mandatory?
No, it is not mandatory to buy a smart thermostat. Energy providers do often offer you the option of switching to a smart thermostat. This is usually very advantageous, because thanks to the energy-saving measures you will have earned back the purchase costs within a short time. So it is very attractive to buy such a thermostat. Still, it is not required by law.
Doesn't a smart thermostat know too much about me? What about privacy?
Especially with a self-learning thermostat it can be difficult to be sure that your privacy is in order. You can set the smart thermostat so that it knows that you are not at home between eight o'clock in the morning and five o'clock in the afternoon. These routines only give information about when you are at home and are usually stored locally or in a secure environment. If you use geofencing, you share the location of your smartphone with the smart thermostat. This data is usually stored on a server of the manufacturer. This connection is, however, secured and often difficult to hack, so that your privacy is always guaranteed.
Comparing smart thermostats. There are various smart thermostats available, each with their own pros and cons. We have made an overview of the most popular ones.